Provisional approval for Haehl Creek assisted living home

The Willits City Council acting as the city's Planning Commission on Feb. 26 approved a permit authorizing the construction of a new 24-bed assisted living facility to be located at Haehl Creek. While this ruling clears one hurdle for the facility, the current water emergency prevents the city from issuing a building permit until the water emergency passes. City Councilman Ron Orenstein recused himself from consideration of this application due to the close proximity of his home to the proposed facility.

The assisted care senior living facility will be located on a 2-acre parcel in the southeast portion of the Haehl Creek Subdivision at 430 Grove Street. The plans show a 13,200 square foot building with room for 24 beds, a kitchen, library, conference room, common areas including a great room, laundry and utility rooms. A paved driveway with 14 parking slots is also part of the plan. The landscaping will include outdoor common areas with walking paths for the residents.

The facility required approval of a conditional use permit due to its zoning as part of the overall planned development in the area associated with the new Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital. This type of zoning provides the city with flexibility to determine whether any future proposal is consistent with the original intent of the planned development. This parcel and two others in the area were originally designated for care facilities with up to 75 patient beds in the 2004 project development review. The zoning in the area is Heavy Commercial-Planned Development.

Jay and Elizabeth Santos applied to build the facility and Margie Handley is the property owner.

One Haehl Creek resident spoke in opposition to the plan. She moved to the area a year before and was concerned about the construction noise and other impacts of the new building, including drainage. She described enduring a "year of hell with the freeway construction behind my home." She also said the construction of the hospital had not been that intrusive.

City Planner Alan Falleri stated a drainage plan would be required before the start of any construction.

Two neighbors spoke in favor of the development.

The Santos' agent Jim Lohr asked the city to clarify what the approval meant, especially with the water emergency prohibiting the issuance of an actual building permit. He told the council it could cost the Santos as much as $100,000 to prepare all the materials needed to apply for a final building permit. He asked what would happen if they proceeded to that point and the city was again back in a water emergency. City Attorney Jim Lance advised there was a provision in the code which allowed an applicant to apply for relief from an undue hardship